Pipeline Apparatus

ABSTRACT

Pipeline apparatus comprises a housing including a riser and a pipeline connector and a seal pack assembly mounted in a member that is mounted in the riser, the apparatus including a shaft extending through the seal pack assembly. The seal pack assembly includes at least one seal situated and configured to provide a seal between the outer surface of the shaft and a component of the seal pack assembly through which the shaft extends, the component being releasably attached to the member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatus for use in a pipeline, and inparticular to apparatus from which components thereof the valve may beextracted through the apparatus body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to valves, and more particularly to stopvalves for controlling fluid flow through pipelines, such assubterranean or over ground pipes for fluid flow, e.g. water and gaspipes.

There are many miles of water and gas pipelines located underground inthe UK, and indeed elsewhere in the world. Valves are located at manypoints along these pipelines, to enable control of the flow of fluidthrough sections of the pipelines adjacent the valves. For example, manylarge diameter pipes are located deep underneath roadways, from whichsmaller diameter pipes branch off, each leading to separate industrial,commercial or residential properties to supply them with e.g. tap wateror other non-treated forms of water. Should there be a water leak at oneof these properties, a valve in the branch pipe to that property can beoperated to stop the flow of water from the large diameter main pipe tothe residence along the branch pipe.

These valves can take one of many forms, but essentially each has somesort of internal barrier member, such as a gate, a ball, a plug, or adisc (in the case of a butterfly valve), which is moveable to allow, torestrain, or to stop the flow of fluid through the valve. Such barriermembers are usually moved by rotating a spindle which extends from thebarrier member to the exterior of the valve, towards the ground levelabove the valve.

To operate one of these subterranean valves, an operative feeds a tool,e.g. tee-bar, valve key down an open shaft from ground level, which openshaft extends down to the valve. The operative aims to locate the end oftheir key on an e.g. tapered or shaped shank on the end of the spindle.Then, by rotating the key, the spindle is turned, thus moving thebarrier member of the valve, to block or unblock the channel in thevalve through which the fluid flows. Alternatively, the spindle of thevalve may extend the majority of the way up the open shaft from thevalve to the ground surface, allowing the service engineer to use ashort key on the end of the long spindle to operate the valve.

In either case, such an open shaft cannot be left open to the elementssince such an opening in a footpath or roadway poses a significantdanger to pedestrians and drivers, etc. Thus, a cover plate is locatedin the roadway or footpath above the valve to cover the open shaft. Asthese cover plates usually need to withstand the weight of trafficpassing over them, including heavy goods vehicles, it is preferred tomake the cover plates as small as possible. Small cover plates need notbe made as robust as larger ones to withstand the same mass.

Of course, these valves require maintenance, for example to replace apart of the closing mechanism of the valve after it becomes worn ordamaged. In known pipelines, once the section of pipeline in which avalve is located is isolated from the rest of the pipeline network(perhaps by closing valves upstream and downstream of the valve inquestion), or the pipeline is depressurised, the valve can be serviced.Conventional vales have a removable ‘bonnet’ on their upper side (theterm ‘upper’ is used here with reference to the relative operation ofthe valve to the road surface above) which is held onto the main casingof the valve by a number of bolts to cover an access chamber in thevalve. In many valves, once the bonnet has been removed, the closingmechanism of the valve can be accessed and removed for such servicing.In some cases the closing mechanism is of a closed-type, such as a plugvalve, but such a valve still requires the removal of the outer bonnetto access the plug.

In order to be able to remove such a bonnet, a service engineer must beable to access the valve itself. Since the valves in question arelocated deep underground, e.g. 2 to 15 feet (0.6 m to 4.5 m) belowground level, this is not possible from the road surface. Also, thecover plate in the road surface and the underlying open shaft are toonarrow to allow a service engineer to climb down. Thus, maintenance onsuch subterranean valves can only be carried out after elevation of theearth, tarmac, etc. above the valve, which is of course time consuming,expensive and highly inconvenient to pedestrians and motorists who, as aresult of such excavation, may find roads closed or partially blockedwith temporary traffic control systems in operation.

There are also several types of overland (above ground) valves whichrequire the removal of a bonnet to access an access chamber within thevalve for maintenance purposes. Although not requiring excavation, as inthe case of subterranean valves, such as removal of a bonnet is timeconsuming, and thus costly.

Thus, there is a need for a valve that is suitable for subterranean useyet which has a flow control mechanism that can be serviced from groundlevel without the need to excavate the ground above and around thevalve. There is also a need for an overload valve which can be quicklyand cheaply serviced.

It is often necessary to carryout monitoring operations in fluidcarrying pipelines. Monitoring may only be required from time to time,and hence it would be desirable to provide an apparatus into which amonitoring device may be fitted, yet easily be removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided pipelineapparatus comprising a housing including a riser and a pipelineconnector and a seal pack assembly mounted in a member that is mountedin the riser, the apparatus including a shaft extending through a sealpack assembly, wherein the seal pack assembly includes at least one sealsituated and configured to provide a seal between the outer surface ofthe shaft and a component of the seal pack assembly through which theshaft extends, said component being releasably attached to said member.

Preferably, the member mounted in the riser is releasably mounted insaid riser.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided pipelineapparatus comprising a housing including a riser and a pipelineconnector and a seal pack assembly mounted in a member that isreleasably mounted in the riser, the apparatus including a shaftextending through the seal pack assembly, wherein the seal pack assemblyincludes at least one seal situated and configured to provide a sealbetween the outer surface of the shaft and a component of the seal packassembly through which the shaft extends.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided pipelineapparatus comprising a housing including a riser and a pipelineconnector valve seat mounting members, at least one valve seat andlocking means configured to lock the at least one valve seat in aposition in the housing.

Preferably, the locking means comprise elements mounted in the or eachvalve seat, the elements being retractable and extendible with respectto the valve seat.

Advantageously, the elements are elongate elements mounted in channelsin the valve seat.

The locking means may include a rack and pinion and/or a levermechanism.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided pipelineapparatus comprising a housing including a riser and a pipelineconnector and a valve, wherein the valve is mounted in the pipelineconnector and extends into the riser.

The apparatus may further comprise a shaft extending from the valve andthrough the housing and into a seal pack assembly situated at the end ofthe riser distal from the pipeline connector.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided apipeline apparatus comprising a housing including a riser and a pipelineconnector and a landing nipple attachable to the riser, the landingnipple having a seal pack assembly mounted therein.

Accordingly to a sixth aspect of the invention there is providedpipeline apparatus comprising a housing including a riser and a pipelineconnector and a seal means mounted in a member that is mounted in theriser, the apparatus including a shaft extending through the seal means,wherein the seal means includes at least one seal configured to providea seal between the outer surface of the shaft and a component of theseal means through which the shaft extends, the member releasablymounted in the riser and/or the component of the seal means throughwhich the shaft extends releasably attached to said member, wherein theseal means and the shaft are removable from the riser.

The pipeline apparatus may further comprise seal means configured toprovide a seal between the outer surface of the member and the innersurface of the riser.

The pipeline apparatus may further comprise a valve assembly, the valveassembly comprising a valve closure member, the valve closure membermounted on the shaft.

Preferably, the valve closure member is removable through a riser.

Preferably, the valve assembly includes at least one valve seat, andwherein the at least one valve seat is mounted releasably in the housingin the pipeline connector thereof.

Preferably, the at least one valve seat is removable from the housingthrough a riser.

Advantageously, the pipeline apparatus comprises at least one lockingmeans configured to lock the at least one valve seat in position in thepipeline connector of the housing.

The locking means may comprise element mounted in the or each valveseat, the elements being retractable and extendible with respect to thevalve seat.

The elements may be elongate elements mounted in channels in the valveseat.

The locking means may include a rack and pinion and/or a lever mechanismand/or a cam and follower.

The pipeline apparatus may further comprise valve seat mounting means.

The valve seat mounting means may be comprised in the housing.

Preferably, the valve seat mounting means comprises a body, the bodyremovably mounted in the housing.

The pipeline apparatus may comprise locking means configured to lock thebody in the housing.

Preferably, the body is mounted in the housing for reciprocal androtational motion with respect thereto and a biasing means in thehousing is configured to urge the valve seat housing to reciprocate inthe housing, the locking means configured to lock the body in positionin the housing.

Preferably, the body comprises tool engaging elements, said elementsproviding for a tool engaged therewith to exert rotational andreciprocal forces on the body.

Preferably, the riser includes a riser extension piece.

Preferably, the member is mounted in the riser extension piece.

The valve assembly may extend into the riser.

Preferably, the pipeline comprises fastening means configured to fastenreleasably the member to the riser, and/or fastening means configured tofasten releasably said component of the seal means to the member.

Preferably, the said component of the seal means is releasably mountedin the member, and the said component mounted in the member forreciprocal and rotational motion with respect thereto, and biasing meansconfigured to urge the said component to reciprocate in the member, thefastening means configured to fasten the first component in position inthe member, and wherein the shaft extends through the first and secondcomponents of the seal means.

Preferably, the seal means comprises a further component mounted in themember, the biasing means mounted between the components.

Preferably, the member is mounted in the riser for reciprocal androtational motion with respect thereto and a biasing means in the riserconfigured to urge the member to reciprocate in the riser, the fasteningmeans configured to fasten the member in position in the riser, andwherein the shaft extends through the member.

The biasing means may be a spring.

Preferably, the member comprises a bearing surface for a thrust collarof the shaft.

Preferably, the fastening means comprises at least one cam and camfollower, the or each cam and cam follower providing a locked and anunlocked configuration.

Advantageously, the cam is J-shaped and the cam follower is configuredto follow the J-shaped cam.

The J-shaped cam may be in the form of a slot and the cam follower is aprotrusion engaging the slot.

Preferably, the member and/or the component of the seal means comprisetool engaging elements, said elements providing for a tool engagedtherewith to exert rotational and reciprocal forces on the member and/orcomponent of the seal means.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention there is provided tooladapted to engage tool engaging elements of a the member and/or thecomponent of the seal means or the valve body, the tool comprising ashaft and elements configured to engage the member and/or the componentof the seal means and element mount, mounting the elements on the shaft.

Preferably, the shaft is configured to receive a handle.

Preferably, the element mount is a hollow body configured to receive apart of the member and/or component of the seal means therein.

The shaft may be hollow and configured to receive the shaft of the valvetherein.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention there is provided apipeline apparatus comprising a housing including a riser and a pipelineconnector and a valve assembly, wherein the valve assembly comprises avalve configured to control the flow of fluid through the pipelineconnector, a mounting means for releasably mounting the valve assemblyin the riser and seal means, the seal means configured to seal againstegress of fluid from the apparatus, the valve assembly and the risereach comprising a part of a locking means for releasably locking thevalve assembly in the riser, the valve situated in the pipelineconnector.

Preferably, the mounting means comprises a mandrel, the mandrel mountingone part of the locking means, a valve stem for raising and lowering thevalve and first and second seal means, wherein the first seal means is avalve stem seal, and a second seal means is a mandrel seal.

Preferably, the valve assembly includes a valve seat and a valve closuremember, the valve seat receiving the valve closure member, the valveseat comprising a fluid passageway therethrough, the valve controllingthe opening and closing of the fluid passageway, the housing configuredto receive the valve seat.

Preferably, the mandrel comprises a hollow body having an open end and aclosed end, the valve stem passing through the closed end.

The pipeline apparatus, may further comprise connector membersconfigured to connect the valve seat to the mandrel.

Advantageously, the valve seat comprises an inner member and an outermember, the valve engaging the inner member.

Preferably, the connector member engage the inner member of the valveseat.

Preferably, the hosing is configured to receive the valve seat.

Preferably, the housing includes at least one recess for receiving apart of the valve seat.

Preferably, the valve stem comprises a thrust collar.

Advantageously, the thrust collar is supported on the closed end of themandrel.

Preferably, the seal means comprise a seal mount, the seal mountmounting a first seal adapted to seal between the valve assembly and theriser and a second seal adapted to seal between the valve assembly andthe valve stem thereof.

Preferably, the seal mount comprises at least a part of a thrust collarhousing.

Advantageously, the seal mount is mounted on the mandrel.

The thrust collar housing may be formed by the seal mount and closed endof the mandrel.

The locking means may be a first element mounted in the valve assemblyconfigured to engage a second element mounted in the riser, the firstelement being moveable between a first position in which the firstelement is engaged with the second element and a second position inwhich the first element is disengaged from the first element.

The locking means may comprise at least one J-shaped cam associated withone of the housing and the mounting means of the valve assembly and atleast one cam follower associated with the other of the housing and themounting means, the valve assembly configured to permit reciprocal androtational movement between the mounting means and the riser.

The pipeline apparatus may further comprise a collar assembly attachableto the end of the riser remote from the pipeline connector, and mayfurther comprise at least one extension member attachable to the riserby means of the collar assembly.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention there is provided apipeline apparatus comprising a housing including a riser and a pipelineconnector, a valve seat mount, at least one valve seat, the at least onevalve seat removable from the housing through the riser.

The pipeline apparatus may further comprise locking means configured tolock the at least one valve seat in a position in the housing.

The locking means may comprise elements mounted in the or each valveseat, the elements being retractable and extendible with respect to thevalve seat.

The elements may be elongate elements mounted in channels in the valveseat.

The locking means may include a rack and pinion and/or a lever mechanismor a cam and follower.

The valve and valve seats may be mounted in the pipeline connector andextend into the riser.

The pipeline apparatus may further comprise a shaft extending from thevalve and through the housing and into a seal pack assembly in the riseror an extension thereof distal from the pipeline connector.

The pipeline apparatus may comprise a landing nipple attachable to andextending the riser, the landing nipple having a seal pack assemblymounted therein.

According to a tenth aspect of the invention there is provided apipeline apparatus comprising a housing including a riser and a pipelineconnector and a valve, wherein the valve is mounted in the pipelineconnector and extends into the riser.

The pipeline apparatus may further comprise a shaft extending from thevalve and through the housing and into a seal pack assembly situated inthe riser or an extension thereof distal from the pipeline connector.

The pipeline apparatus may farther comprise a valve seat mount, at leastone valve seat, the at least one valve seat removable from the housingthrough the riser.

The pipeline apparatus may further comprise locking means configured tolock the at least one valve seat in a position in the housing

The locking means may comprise elements mounted in the or each valveseat, the elements being retractable and extendible with respect to thevalve seat.

The elements may be elongate elements mounted in channels in the valveseat.

The locking means may include a rack and pinion and/or a lever mechanismand/or cam and follower.

The valve and valve seats may mounted in the pipeline connector andextend into the riser.

Preferably, the pipeline apparatus further comprises a shaft extendingfrom the valve and through the housing and into a seal pack assembly inthe riser or an extension thereof distal from the pipeline connector.

The seal pack assembly may be releasably mounted in the riser orextension thereof.

The pipeline apparatus may comprise a landing nipple attachable to andextending the riser, the landing nipple having a seal pack assemblymounted therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of theinvention:

FIG. 1a schematic representation of apparatus of a first embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 1b is a schematic representation of the apparatus illustrated inFIG. 1a with the valve gate and bonnet assembly partially extracted fromthe apparatus body;

FIG. 1c is a schematic representation of the apparatus illustrated inFIGS. 1a and 1b with the valve gate and bonnet extracted from theapparatus body;

FIG. 1d illustrates the apparatus shown in FIG. 1a in use at differentlevels below a road surface;

FIG. 1e illustrates the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1a to 1c withadditional components shown;

FIG. 1f is a detail view of the valve seats of the apparatus shown inFIGS. 1a to 1 e;

FIG. 2a is schematic representation of a locking arrangement;

FIG. 2b is an exploded view of the locking arrangement illustrated inFIG. 2 a;

FIG. 3a is a detailed schematic representation of the locking mechanismillustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2 b;

FIG. 3b is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the lockingmechanism illustrated in FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a valve seat;

FIG. 5a is a schematic representation of a valve stem assembly;

FIG. 5b is a schematic representation of a tool for extracting andreplacing the valve stem assembly illustrated in FIG. 5 a;

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a first type of housing;

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a second type of housing;

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a third type of housing;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an embodiment of a valve seat lockingmechanism;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of another embodiment of a valve seat lockingmechanism;

FIG. 10a is a schematic representation of a valve seat locking mechanismof the type shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 10b is a schematic representation of a gate valve according to theinvention having a valve seat locking mechanism as shown in FIG. 10 a;

FIG. 11a illustrates a butterfly valve in a closed state;

FIG. 11b illustrates a butterfly valve in an open state;

FIG. 12 illustrates a plug valve;

FIG. 13a illustrates an apparatus according to another embodiment of theinvention with the valve therein closed;

FIG. 13b illustrates the apparatus shown in FIG. 13a with the valvetherein open;

FIG. 13c illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 13a with the valve seatassembly and pulling tool shown in detail;

FIG. 13d illustrates the valve seat assembly and pulling tool;

FIG. 13e is a cross-sectional representation of the apparatus shown inFIG. 13 a;

FIG. 13f is a cross-sectional representation of the apparatus shown inFIG. 13 b;

FIG. 14a is a schematic representation of apparatus according to anotherembodiment of the invention with the valve assembly locked in positionand the valve closed;

FIG. 14b is a schematic representation of the apparatus illustrated inFIG. 14a with the valve open;

FIG. 14c is a cross-sectional schematic representation of die apparatusshown in FIG. 14 b;

FIG. 14d is a cross-sectional schematic representation of the valveassembly extracted from the housing;

FIG. 14e is a schematic representation of the valve assembly shown inFIG. 14 d;

FIG. 15a is a cross-sectional schematic representation of an alternativesealing and locking arrangement for the apparatus of FIGS. 14a to 14 e;

FIG. 15b is a cross-sectional schematic representation of the sealingand locking arrangement for the apparatus shown in FIG. 15 a, in areleased state;

FIGS. 15c and 15d are schematic representations corresponding to thearrangements shown in FIGS. 15a and 15 b; and

FIGS. 15e and 15f are side views corresponding to the arrangements shownin FIGS. 15a to 15 d.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1a to 1d , there is shown a fluid controlapparatus 1 comprising a housing 2 including a riser 2 a and a pipelineconnector 2 b. In use, the pipeline connector 2 b forms part of a largerpipeline system.

The apparatus 1 includes a gate valve 3 comprising valve seats 4, eachhaving an opening 4 a therein. The valve seats include channels 5 toeach side thereof which engage with rails 10 formed in the wall of thehousing 2. The rails 10 extend along the inner surfaces of both theriser 2 a and pipeline connector 2 b. The channels 5 and rails 10 securethe valve seats 4 in position in the axial direction of the pipelineconnector 2 b. In order to secure the valve seats 4 in position in theaxial direction of the riser 2 a locking pins 6 are provided in thevalve seats 4 which engage with indents in the rails 10.

A gate valve 3 includes a gate 7 located between the valve seats 4. Inthe illustrated example, the gate 7 corresponds in shape substantiallyto the shape of the valve seats 4. The sides of the gate 7 includechannels 8 which engage with rails 9 that extend along the innersurfaces of both the riser 2 a and pipeline connector 2 b. The channels8 and rails 9 secure the position of the gate 7 in the axial directionof the pipeline connector 2 b. The gate 7 is arranged such that it maybe raised and lowered to open or close a fluid passage way between theopenings 4 a of the valve seats 4. The gate 7 is mounted on a stem 12,which may be a non-rising stem, wherein the gate valve rises withrespect to the stem 12 upon rotation thereof, for example where the stem12 is threaded externally and the bore in the gate in which the stem islocated is internally threaded, rotation of the stem causing the gate 7to rise. Alternatively, the stem may be a rising stem, where the stem isrotatable mounted in the gate 7, but not movable axially therewith. In arising stem, another part of the stem is externally threaded and part ofanother component of the apparatus 1 internally threaded. Hence, whenthe stem 12 is rotated, the stem 12 and gate 7 which is attached theretorises and falls with the gate 7. The stem 12 has a square tapered end 14for engagement with a handle (not shown).

Referring now to FIG. 1f , which illustrates the gate valve 3 in greaterdetail, the valve seats 4 are provided with seals 4 b on each facethereof. Each valve seat 4 has a cover plate 15 attached to the uppersurface thereof. A drive 16 extends through an opening in the coverplate 15. The drive 16 is connected to a mechanism that is arranged tomove the pins 6 into and out of indents in the rails 10. The mechanismis described in greater detail with references to FIGS. 9 and 10 below.

As will be appreciated from FIGS. 1a to 1f , the components of the gatevalve 3 are sufficiently small to pass through the rise housing 2 a. Itis desirable for the fluid passageway through the valve seats to be of asimilar cross-sectional area to the diameter of the pipeline connector 2b. This is provided for by arranging for the valve seats 4 and theopenings 4 a therein to extend beyond the plane of the outer wall of thepipeline connector 2 b. In FIGS. 1a to 1f the apparatus is configuredsuch that the openings 4 a extend beyond the plane of the outer wall ofthe pipeline connector 2 b in the direction of the riser housing 2 a.

FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate components of a landing nipple 20. Thelanding nipple 20 comprises a housing 21 attached to the riser housing 2a by a collar 22. In the illustrated example the housing 21 is ofsubstantially the same external and internal dimension as the riserhousing 2 a. The landing nipple 20 also includes another collar 23 towhich may be attached an extension member as shown in FIG. 1d , or acover (not shown).

The landing nipple 20 includes a member 25 for securing the gate 7 andthe stem 12 in position in the housing 2. The member 25 is of the sameshape as the housing 21 and has an external diameter slightly less thanthe internal diameter of the housing 21. Two vertically spaced apartO-rings 26 are mounted in grooves 26′ on the outer surface of the member25. These O-rings provide a seal between the inner surface of thehousing 21 and the outer surface of the member 25.

The member 25 includes parts of a locking arrangement for locking thesaid member 25 with respect to the housing 21. The parts of the lockingarrangement comprised in the member 25 include three inverted J-shapedchannels 27. The inverted J-shaped channels include a first portion 27 awhich provides an opening in the lower edge of the member 25, asemi-circular portion 27 b and a downwardly extending portion 27 chaving a closed end.

These channels are configured to engage with a second part of thelocking arrangement comprised in the housing 21. This second part of thelocking arrangement comprises a protrusion 28 extending from the innersurface of the housing 21 into the J-shaped channels. Such a protrusionmay be formed integrally with the housing 21, for example where thehousing 21 is a plastic moulding, or the protrusion maybe a separatecomponent fixed into the wall of the housing 21, for example a pin fixedinto a hole. This could be achieved form either side of the wall of thehousing 21.

A biasing element in the form of a coil spring 24 is situated in thehousing 21 beneath the member 25. Referring also to FIG. 1e , it can beseen that the riser housing 2 a includes a wall 11 extending radiallyinward and forming an opening that is square in cross-section. The lowerend 24 a of spring 24 sits on the wall 11 and is prevented from movementinto the riser housing 2 a by this wall.

The landing nipple 20 includes means to support the member 25 on thespring 24. This may be a plate which is configured to be received on thestem 12 and pass over the protrusions 28, for example such a plate maybe provided with suitably situated and shaped slots through which thepins 28 may pass, yet to extend under the lower edge of the member 25and over the upper end of the spring 24.

Alternatively, the member 25 may include tabs extending inwardly toengage the upper end 24 b of the spring 24.

The member 25 further includes elements configured to engage with anextraction tool. The upper edge of the member 25 includes L-shaped slots30 comprising a vertically oriented opening 31 extending through theupper edge of the member 25, the opening 31 having chamfered edges 32.The opening 31 extends into a horizontal slot part 33 of the L-shapedslot 30. The member 25 includes three L-shaped slots 30 situatedequidistantly around the member 25.

Referring also to FIGS. 5a and 5b , a tool 40 for engaging L-shapedslots 30 is shown. The tool 40 comprises a shaft 41 having a squaretapered end 42 for engagement with a handle (not shown). The lower endof the shaft 41 has a cylindrical member 43 attached thereto. Tabs 44extend outward from the lower edge of the cylindrical member 43. Thespacing of the tabs 44 around the cylinder corresponds to the spacing ofthe openings 31 of the L-shaped slots 30. The tabs 44 are of such widthand depth as to be able to pass vertically into the opening 31 andhorizontally into the horizontal slot part 33. The cylindrical member 43is of such dimension as to receive the stem 12 therein whilst the tabs44 are situated in the horizontal slot parts 33.

The tool 40 is used to remove the member 25 and all componentsphysically linked to. The tabs 44 are introduced into the openings 31and the tool 40 rotated so that tabs 44 engage in the horizontal slotparts 33. The tool 40 is then pressed downward causing the member 25 tomove downward against the force of spring 24, compressing the spring.The protrusions 28 rise relative to the part 27 c of the invertedJ-shaped slot 27. As the protrusions encounter the curved part 27 b ofthe inverted J-shaped slot 27 the member 25 is caused to rotateanti-clockwise with the arrangement as illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b .When the protrusion 28 reaches the apex of the curved part 27 b theshape of the slot 27 causes the member 25 to rotate furtheranti-clockwise until the protrusion 28 is aligned with the first portion27 a of the slot 27 whereupon the member 25 is free to be pulled out ofthe housing 21. The force of spring 24 pushes the member upward untilthe spring reaches its natural point of extension. The member 25 isattached to the tool 40, hence lifting the tool lifts the member 25 outof the housing 21.

The member 25 includes a part 25′ which provides a housing 25″ for aseal pack assembly 50. The seal pack assembly includes a cap 51 which ismounted in part 25′ in a similar way to which the member 25 is itselfmounted in housing 21. The cap 51 includes a part 52 of a firstdiameter, which is slightly less than the internal diameter of part 25′,the part 52 sitting inside the part 25′. Seals in the form of O-rings 53are located in grooves 53′ on the outer surface of part 52. They providea seal between the outer wall of part 52 and the inner wall of part 25′of member 25.

The cap 51 further includes a second part 54 of a second diameter largerthan the first. The second part 54 closes the housing 25″.

Shaft 12 passes through a bore 55 extending through the cap 51. Aplurality of O-rings 56 is mounted in grooves in the surface of the bore55. In FIG. 2b two O-rings 56 can be seen. Another two O-rings 56 areout of view.

The shaft 23 includes a thrust collar 12 a of larger diameter than themain body of the shaft. The thrust collar 12 a is so dimensioned as tobe a sliding fit into the housing 25″. The edge of a lower surface ofthe thrust collar 12 a engages with a wall 25 a of the housing 25″ andlimits movement of the shaft with respect to the member 25.

The seal pack assembly includes a top hat washer 60 having ahorizontally extending portion 61 and a vertically extending portion 62.A coil spring 63 sits on the top hat washer about the verticallyextending portion 62.

Referring again to FIG. 3b , the top hat washer 60 is mounted on theshaft 12, the horizontally extending portion 61 sitting on top of thepart 12 a of the shaft. The vertically extending portion 62 maintainsthe spring 63 in the correct position.

The arrangement of locking and releasing the cap 51 from part 25′ arefunctionally equivalent to the arrangements for locking and releasingthe member 25 from housing 21. In view of this the same referencenumerals are used to indicated the same parts but denoted as the primeof the reference numeral in question. So inverted J-shaped slot 27becomes inverted J-shaped slot 27′ and so on.

Three inverted J-shaped slots 27′ are provided equidistantly around thepart 52 of cap 51. These engage with a protrusion 28′ in the same way asdescribed with reference to the engagement of protrusion 28 in slot 27,save that the J-shaped slot 27′ are mirror images of the slots 27. Thismeans that when the cap 51 is pushed down against the force of spring 63the cap 51 is caused to move clockwise as opposed to anti-clockwise asis the case for member 25. The upper part 54 of the cap 51 includesL-shaped slots 30′. These L-shaped slots 30′ are mirror images of theL-shaped slots 30. It is important that the member 25 and the cap 51 arearranged to move in opposite directions, so that removal of the cap 51does not release the housing 25.

It will be appreciated that the seal pack 50 assembly may be removed forservicing without removing the gate 7. To remove the seal pack 50 allthat is required is for the gate 7 to be closed and the cap 51 to beengaged with a tool 40 suitably dimensioned to engage with the L-shapedslots 30′. The tool 40 is rotated anti-clockwise so that is “home” inthe horizontal parts 33′ of the slots 30′. The tool is pressed downwardwhich releases the protrusions 28′ off inverted J-slots 27′ allowing thecap 51 which is captured on the tool 40 to be lifted out of the housing25′ and off the shaft 12. Any damaged seals may then be replaced and thecomponents re-assembled.

FIG. 6 shows and alternative embodiment of the apparatus where thepipeline connector 2 b of housing 2 includes flanges 2 b′ having aplurality of holes 2 b″ for attachment to another flange. An extensionmember 70 is mounted on top of the landing nipple 20.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate differently shaped housings 2, each having aportion 2 c, 2 c′ extending from the underside of the pipeline connector2 c. The gate valve may be partially housed in the portion 2 c, 2 c′.

Referring now to FIG. 9, pins 6 are slidably mounted in channels 4 c.When the pins 6 are withdrawn into the channels 4 c the valve seat mayslide with respect to the housing 2. When extended into indents in thehousing 2, rails thereof in the present example, the valve seats 4 arelocked in position in the housing 2. The mechanism illustrated in FIG. 9includes racks 6 a formed in the pins 6 and a pinion wheel 17 havingteeth 18 for engaging with the racks 6 a. The pinion wheel 17 includes asocket 19 for receiving the drive 16, a square drive in the illustratedexample. In use, when a suitable tool is attached to the drive 16 androtated, the pins 6 may be retracted into or extended out of thechannels 4 c. The pinion wheel 17 also includes a hole 20. The functionof the hole 20 to receive a frangible pin, which extends through thehole and engages in an indent in the valve seat 4.

For insertion of the valve seat 4 into the housing 2 the pins 6 areretracted. With the valve seat 4 located in the housing, the pinionwheel 17 is turned by means of a suitable tool as described above untilthe pins 6 extend into indents in the housing and such that the hole 20is aligned with an indent in the valve seat 4. A frangible pin is theninserted into the hole 20 and into the aligned indent, thereby lockingthe pins 6 in their extended configuration. To remove the valve seat,the pinion wheel 17 is turned in the opposite direction, breaking thefrangible pin. With the valve seat removed, the parts of the brokenfrangible pin may be removed.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative mechanism for extending andretracting the pins 6. The mechanism utlises levers 23, 24 in place ofthe rack and pinion of the mechanism illustrated in FIG. 9. A rotatablemember 21 mounting levers 23 on either side of the member 21 is locatedin a bore 22. Each lever 23 is pivotally connected to a lever 24 by apin 25 a. The lever 24 is pivotally connected to the pin 6 by 6 by a pin25 b, the pin 6 being slidably mounted in a channel 6 a. Suitable spaceis provided in the valve seat 4 to accommodate movement of the levers23, 24. By rotating the member 21, the pins 6 may be extended orretracted. Frangible pins and holes for receiving such pins are notshown in FIG. 10. However, such pins could be accommodated in therotatable member 21 and valve seat 4 for example.

The apparatus of the invention is not limited to gate valves. The gate 7may be replaced by a butterfly valve 80 as shown in FIGS. 11a and 11b .The butterfly valve 80 includes a frame 81 and butterfly wings 82 toeach side of shaft 12. The frame 81 sits between valve seats 4. Thewings 82 open into the openings 4 a in the valve seats 4.

FIG. 12 illustrates a plug valve 90 including an outer wall 91surrounding a cavity 92 and a shaft 12. In use the part of the shaft 12below the wall 91 is supported in a bore. By rotating the shaft 12 theplug valve 90 may be moved between open and closed configurations.

The apparatus is not limited to use of a valve. Numerous components maybe mounted on the shaft 12. A flow meter or camera for example may beplaced within a frame such as the frame 81. The apparatus may be used asa line stop, with an inflatable balloon being mounted on the end of theshaft 12. The shaft 12 may be configured such that a wire may passtherethrough, or the monitoring apparatus may communicate wirelessly.

Referring now to FIGS. 13a to 13f , there is shown an alternativearrangement of the apparatus. This embodiment comprises a valve body 100in which valve seats are mounted. The valve body 100 is removablymounted in the housing 2. In the illustrated example, the valve housing2 includes a portion 2 c extending from the underside of the pipelineconnector 2 b.

The portion 2 c includes part of a locking mechanism, in the form of aprotrusion 125 extending from the inner wall of the portion 2 c whichengages with J-shaped channels 123 of the valve body 100 to releasablylock the valve body 100 in place in the valve housing 2. The lower endof the valve body 100 sits on and is attached to a spring 124, which isitself mounted on and attached to a cap 120. The cap 120 sits on the endface 2 c″ of the portion 2 c of housing 2. The cap 120 includes acylindrical part 121 which the spring 124 surrounds and an end flange122 which the end face of the spring 124 abuts.

The J-shaped channels provide for the selective locking and unlocking ofthe valve body 100 to the housing 2 in the same manner as describedabove in relation to earlier embodiments.

The riser housing of the housing 2 is not shown in FIGS. 13a to 13f .However, this part is substantially the same as that shown in FIGS. 1ato 1e , and would have a landing nipple attached thereto in the sameway, since it is the landing nipple that provides the seal around thestem 12.

Whereas the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 12 includes valveseats which engage with the housing 2, the arrangement illustrated inFIGS. 13a to 13f requires the valve body 100 to engage with the housing2, the valve seats being mounted in the valve body 100.

The arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 13a to 13f provides a two distinctadvantages over the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 to 12. First, the valvebody 100 may mount valve components for different types of valve.Therefore, producing a range of fluid control apparatus is simplified,since part that fits into the housing 2, the valve body 100 is the same,even when different valve components are to be used. Second, servicingof the fluid control apparatus is simplified. In order to remove thevalve body 100 and the valve components mounted therein, all that isrequired is for the top edge of the valve body 100 to be engaged by thetool 140, which is similar to the tool 40 illustrated in FIGS. 5b , savethat the shaft 141 thereof is hollow so that it may pass over the valvestem 12. L-shaped slots 130 are formed in the upper part of the innerwall of valve body 100. The tool 140 comprises a cylindrical member 143.Tabs 144 extend outward from the lower edge of the cylindrical member143. The tabs 144 are configured to engage the L-shaped slots 130. Withthe tabs 144 so engaged, the whole valve body 100 may be presseddownward to release the valve body 100, releasing the valve body, andhence also the components mounted therein, from the housing 2.

The arrangement shown in FIGS. 14a to 14e is different again. In thisarrangement the valve, the valve seats, and the apparatus for lockingthe valve are comprised in a valve assembly 210, a single component,which may be introduced into and removed from the housing 201 throughthe riser 201 a thereof.

Referring specifically to FIG. 14d , the fluid control apparatus 200 isshown in with the valve assembly 210. The riser 201 a of the housing 201includes a part 201 d towards its upper end, which forms part of alocking arrangement to lock the valve assembly 210 releasably in thehousing 201. A collar 201 e extends from the part 201 d. The first of athree part collar assembly 202 is attached to the collar 201 e. Thefirst part 203 comprises a lower section 203 b, which includes aninternally threaded end 203 c, providing for fastening of the first part203 to the collar 201 e, which includes an external threaded forengagement to the said internally threaded end. Fastening of first part203 to the collar 201 e is in the region 201 f. As can be seen from FIG.14a in particular, the collar 201 e extend inside the first part 203 ofthe collar assembly 202. The first part 203 includes an upper section203 a, which is threaded externally.

The second part 204 of the three part collar assembly 202 includes alower section 204 a and an upper section 204 d of different internal andexternal diameters. The lower section 204 a sits within the first part203. The upper and lower sections 204 a, 204 d are divided by a liphaving a chamfered wall 204 b which sits on a correspondingly chamferedwall 203 d of part 203, and an upper wall 204 c.

The third part 205 of the three part collar assembly 202 holds thesecond part 204 in place. Said third part 205 includes an internallythreaded part 205 a which engages external threads of the upper section203 a of the first part 203. The third part 205 includes an inwardlyextending lip 205 b which sits on the upper wall 204 c of the secondpart 204. The third part 205 also includes a recess 205 c for receivinga seal, such as an O-ring.

The valve assembly 210 comprises a mandrel 211 which is a sliding fitwithin the riser 201 a and the collar assembly 202. The mandrel 211mounts a part of a pop-out lock 230, which engages with the part 201 dof the riser 201 a. The mandrel 211 includes a bottom wall 215. Thebottom wall 215 includes a hole through which a spindle 220 passes.Mounted in the mandrel 211 is a housing 223 in which the thrust collar221 of a spindle 220 is mounted. The housing 223 is attached to thebottom wall 215 of the mandrel by fasteners 216.

The mandrel 211 includes a valve seat 212. The valve seat 212 isattached to the mandrel 211 by side plates 218. The valve seat 212comprises an inner valve seat member 212 a and an outer valve seatmember 212 b. The outer valve seat member 212 a includes a recess 212 a′for engaging a protrusion 218′ in the side plates 218 and a protrusion212 a″ for engaging a recess 218″ of the side plate 218.

FIG. 14e illustrates how the inner and outer valve seat members 212 a,212 b provide an opening 213 a, which is opened or closed by a valvemember, such as a gate 213 is received in the valve seat 212. The gate213 slides up and down in the inner valve seat member 212 a. The outervalve seat member 212 b engages inner surfaces of the housing 201 andprovides a seal between the housing 201 and the valve seat 212. Thesesealing surfaces are out of the normal fluid flow path through thepipeline connector 201 b of housing 201 and are therefore subject toless wear than would be the case for seals in the normal fluid flowpath.

In the case of a gate valve as shown, to open the valve, the free end222 of spindle 220 is engages with a tool (typically the free end 222has a square head for engagement by a correspondingly shaped tool). Thepart of the spindle between the thrust collar 221 and the gate 213 isexternally threaded and the gate 213 is internally threaded, so thatdepending on the direction of rotation of the spindle 220, the gate 213is either raised or lowered. The housing 201 includes a sump 201 g forreceiving a collar 214 extending from the inner valve seat member 212 a.The sump 201 g includes an indent 201 h, which receives a protrusion 214a. These two components act to prevent rotation of the valve in thehousing.

The housing 223 provides a spindle seal 223 a and a seal between themandrel 211 and the riser 201 a. A recess 224 is formed in the outersurface of the mandrel 211 and sealing elements, for example O-rings,are mounted on the mandrel in the recess 224 to provide the seal betweenthe mandrel 211 and the inner surface of the riser 201.

The mandrel 211 shown is locked to the riser 201 a by a pop-out lock,the operation of which is known to those skilled in the art.Alternatively, the mandrel may be locked in the riser 201 a using a lockhaving the J-shaped slot arrangement described in relation to previouslydescribed embodiments. This arrangement is illustrated in FIGS. 15a to15 f.

The riser 201 a includes J-shaped slots 301. A mandrel 300 includes athrust bearing 302 supporting the thrust collar 221 of spindle 220. Themandrel 300 mounts a seal pack 309. The inner wall of the riser 201 a isstepped providing regions 303 to 306 of sequentially differing diameter,the diameter of region 303 being smaller than that of region 304 and soon, thereby providing a step between each region. The step betweenregions 303 and 304 provides a bearing surface for one end of a spring307. The other end of the spring engages the underside of the mandrel300. The outer surface of the mandrel 300 is provided with pins 308 forengaging the J-shaped slots 301.

As is best seen from FIG. 15a , a seal pack 309 is supported on theunderside of the mandrel 300, and has a diameter slightly smaller thanthe mandrel diameter. The external diameter of the seal pack 309corresponds to the internal diameter of region 305 and the height of theseal pack 309 corresponds to the height of the region 305.

The seal pack provides a seal 310 about the spindle 220, which passestherethrough, and a seal 311 between the mandrel 300 between the innersurface of the riser 201 a.

The mandrel 300 may be connected to the valve seat in the same orsimilar manner to that shown in FIGS. 14a to 14 e.

Advantageously, some or all of the components are made of plasticsmaterials. Typically, the springs would not be plastic.

There is no longer any need to dig up the road, saving huge amounts oftime and labour. The deployment of the apparatus of the invention willallow pipeline leakage rates to be reduced significantly. Because of thesimplicity of repairing the seal pack in the apparatus (failure in theseal pack is common), there is not the same need to schedule in therepair with other road works. If the apparatus must be accessed from themiddle of a road, this can be done very quickly, bringing trafficdisruption down to a sufficiently low level for the benefit of repair aleak to outweigh the cost of disrupting traffic.

1. A pipeline apparatus comprising a housing including a riser and apipeline connector and a seal means mounted in a member that is mountedin the riser, the apparatus including a shaft extending through androtatable with respect to the seal means, the shaft having an outersurface, wherein the seal means includes at least one seal configured toprovide a seal between an outer surface of the shaft and a component ofthe seal means through which the shaft extends, wherein the seal meansand the shaft are removable from the riser; characterized in that valveseat mounting means are comprised in the housing, and the valve seatmounting means comprise a body, the body removably mounted in thehousing.
 2. The pipeline apparatus according to claim 1, wherein themember is releasably mounted in the riser.
 3. The pipeline apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the component of the seal means throughwhich the shaft extends is releasably attached to said member.
 4. Thepipeline apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the member has an outersurface and the riser has an inner surface, the apparatus furthercomprising seal means configured to provide a seal between the outersurface of the member and the inner surface of the riser.
 5. Thepipeline apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a valveassembly, the valve assembly comprising a valve closure member, thevalve closure member mounted on the shaft.
 6. The pipeline apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein the valve closure member is removablethrough the riser.
 7. The pipeline apparatus according to claim 5,wherein the valve closure member that is mounted on the shaft isrotatable with respect to said shaft.
 8. The pipeline apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one valve seat is removablefrom the housing through the riser.
 9. The pipeline apparatus accordingto claim 1, comprising at least one locking means configured to lock theat least one valve seat in position in the pipeline connector of thehousing.
 10. The pipeline apparatus according to claim 9, wherein thelocking means comprise elements mounted in each valve seat, the elementsbeing retractable and extendible with respect to the valve seat.
 11. Thepipeline apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the elements areelongate elements mounted in channels in the valve seat.
 12. Thepipeline apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the locking meansincludes one of: a rack and pinion; a lever mechanism; and a cam andfollower.
 13. The pipeline apparatus according to claim 7, furthercomprising valve seat mounting means.
 14. The pipeline apparatusaccording to claim 13, wherein the valve seat mounting means arecomprised in the housing.
 15. The pipeline apparatus according to claim7, further comprising a valve seat mounting means, wherein the valveseat mounting means is comprised in the housing, and wherein the valveseat mounting means comprises a body, the body removably mounted in thehousing.
 16. The pipeline apparatus according to claim 15, comprisinglocking means configured to lock the body in the housing.
 17. Thepipeline apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the body is mounted inthe housing for reciprocal and rotational motion with respect theretoand a biasing means in the housing is configured to urge the valve seathousing to reciprocate in the housing, the locking means configured tolock the body in position in the housing.
 18. The pipeline apparatusaccording to claim 15, the body comprising tool engaging elements, saidelements providing for a tool engaged therewith to exert rotational andreciprocal forces on the body.
 19. The pipeline apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the riser includes a riser extension piece.
 20. Thepipeline apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the member is mountedin the riser extension piece.
 21. The pipeline apparatus according toclaim 5, wherein the valve assembly extends into the riser.
 22. Thepipeline apparatus according to claim 1, comprising one of: fasteningmeans configured to fasten releasably the member to the riser; andfastening means configured to fasten releasably said component of theseal means to the member,
 23. The pipeline apparatus according to claim22, whereto said component of the seal means is releasably mounted inthe member, and the said component mounted in the member for reciprocaland rotational motion with respect thereto, and biasing means configuredto urge the said component to reciprocate in the member, the fasteningmeans configured to fasten the first component in position in themember, and wherein the shaft extends through the first and secondcomponents of the seal means.
 24. The pipeline apparatus according toclaim 23, wherein the seal means comprises a further component mountedin the member, the biasing means mounted between the components.
 25. Thepipeline apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the member is mountedin the riser for reciprocal and rotational motion with respect theretoand a biasing means in the riser configured to urge the member toreciprocate in the riser, the fastening means configured to fasten themember in position in the riser, and wherein the shaft extends throughthe member.
 26. The pipeline apparatus according to claim 22, whereinthe biasing means is a spring.
 27. The pipeline apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the member comprises a bearing surface for a thrustcollar of the shaft.
 28. The pipeline apparatus according to claim 22,wherein the fastening means comprises at least one cam and cam follower,or each cam and cam follower providing a locked and an unlockedconfiguration.
 29. The pipeline apparatus according to claim 28, whereinthe cam is J-shaped and the cam follower is configured to follow theJ-shaped cam.
 30. The pipeline apparatus according to claim 29, whereinthe J-shaped cam is in the form of a slot and the earn follower is aprotrusion engaging the slot.
 31. The pipeline apparatus according toclaim 22, wherein one of the member and the component of the seal meanscomprises tool engaging elements, said elements providing for a toolengaged therewith to exert rotational and reciprocal forces on one ofthe member and the component of the seal means.